Exercises for strengthening back muscles

[Angus Cattle Girl]

I have a 9 year old quarter horse mare that has sway back. I have no idea why she has it already at such a young age. But I was wondering if there were any exercises that will help strengthen her back muscles. Any help would be nice. Thanks.
- Angus Girl

 

[Horse Guy]

I steady diet of oats,alfalfa/brome and a regular deworming program and assuming her teeth are in good shape with some steady miles in the saddle she should get back in shape.
Dont take her to the mountains or try to over do things. But some trail miles on a regular gradual basis should get her started.
Also in some areas horses need certain minerals. Example around here you have to supplement them with selineum.

 

[Horse Guy]

PS To build up her top line, walking up hills with the horses head long and low or even on a loose rein is really sapposed to help. Just dont over do a good thing at the start since she is out of shape.

 

[Alan]

Angus Cattle Girl wrote:

My 8 year old Quarter Horse mare has swayback! Could it be the breed? Her dam was a Morgan horse and her sire was a Quarter Horse. What could the deal be?

May just be in need of a little conditioning. If she hasn't been wormed lately, do it. Does she have a bit of a hay belly? If so control her feed give her a bit of alfalfa with her hay and grain.

Then start working her, lounge her or round pen her. When she gets into shape a little you can do an excercise to build her back muscles. First get a couple of elastic straps to tie from her saddle to her halter or bit (I prefer halter since I never ride doing this). So saddle her up take her to the round pen or lounge area. If you have never done this on her before tie the elastic on the saddle then to the halter with alot of slack in it, If she is not use to it and it's too tight she may freak and flip over. Once she gets use to it use tie the elastic tight enough that her nose to her forehead is straight up and down with a small amount of give. Then round pen her or lounge her. This will force her to round up her back and work her back muscles. The big BUT, remember it's like you (or me) deciding to run 10 miles bent over, it could hurt really bad after a short time, so start with short work periods and increase time very slowly. Also I don't like to use baling twine because it has no give, the restraint should have some give to it. If you decide to do this remember to let her get use to the restraint before you tighten it down so she won't hurt herself.

Alan

I see you posted the same question a year ago, so I just did a cut and paste .... I have the same answer.

 

[Horse Guy]

Then start working her, lounge her or round pen her. When she gets into shape a little you can do an excercise to build her back muscles. Alan
quote]

I just wanted to stress this part of your post to her because Im thinking the horse has to be in half decent physical shape before she can really start working on collection.

 

[hayray]

I have a 9 year old quarter horse mare that has sway back. I have no idea why she has it already at such a young age. But I was wondering if there were any exercises that will help strengthen her back muscles. Any help would be nice. Thanks.
- Angus Girl

The best thing for the back is to make sure you do not ride the horse hollowed out in the back and above the bridle, both things lead to a hollowed out and braced, stiff back. Riding the horse rounded in the bridle and staying light off the back, and doing a lot of slow trot work will help the back more than anything or at least not make it any worse, other than that there is not much else you can do.